Phased Retirement Program - Questions and Answers

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Thomasine Harrison
5 years ago
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1 Questions on Eligibility Q1 What are the general provisions of the Phased Retirement Program? A1 The Phased Retirement Program is a Board of Regents approved program. The current program will expire on June 30, The program will provide approved applicants a reduced appointment for a period not to exceed two (2) years. The program begins on the first day of a reduced appointment and ends on the last day of active employment. The program is available to current ISU employees age 57 or older (on or after date of start of reduced appointment), with 15 consecutive years of paid BOR employment on or before the date a reduced appointment begins. The last day to apply for the Phased Retirement Program and begin a reduced appointment is June 30, At no time during the phasing period may an employee hold greater than a 65 percent appointment. For phasing periods of one year or less, or after the completion of the first year of a two year phasing period, the appointment cannot exceed 50%. The phasing period will be set by agreement between the institution and the employee with full retirement required at the end of the specified phasing period; approval of the phased retirement request is at the discretion of the employing unit/college/division. The final day of participation in the Phased Retirement Program is the employee s last day of active employment. Once phased retirement is initiated, employees may not return to full-time. Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 A2 A3 A4 A5 Am I eligible for the Phased Retirement Program? You will be eligible to apply if you are age 57 or older (on or after date of start of reduced appointment) and have 15 consecutive years of paid employment as an Iowa State University or BOR employee on or before you begin a reduced appointment. Fifteen years of paid employment needs to be as a benefits eligible employee. Do my years of paid employment need to be consecutive? Yes Will the Phased Retirement Program be on-going? The Phased Retirement Program is subject to ongoing approval by the state Board of Regents. The current program was renewed in 2017 for a period of 5 years. The current program expires on June 30, If I apply for the Phased Retirement Program, can I rescind my request later? In most cases, No. The request and approval for this program is binding once approved. Any request to rescind would require approval by the Page 1

2 supervisor/department chair and subsequent approvers of the initial request. Q6 Q7 A6 A7 If I am approved for Phased Retirement and have begun a reduced appointment, can I rescind my request at a later date and return to full time employment? No. Board of Regents policy prohibits return to full-time employment once phased retirement has begun. I originally planned to phase over a period of two years. Can I later decide to fully retire before the completion of my originally approved phasing? You should discuss any changes in your originally approved Phased Retirement schedule of phasing with your supervisor/department chair. Changes are subject to approval. Questions on Applying for Phased Retirement Program Q8 Q9 Q10 Q11 A8 A9 A10 A11 What is the last date that I can apply for the Phased Retirement Program? The current Phased Retirement Program expires on June 30, You will need to apply, receive approval, and begin a reduced appointment by June 30, What is the process to apply for the Phased Retirement Program? You will need to complete an application form that is available on the University Human Resources Benefits web site. You can also call the University Human Resources Benefits Office at to have an application mailed to you. Complete the application and forward it to your supervisor/department chair. Prior to doing this, it is strongly recommended that employees discuss program options with their supervisor and/or department chair. If I apply for the Phased Retirement Program, is my request to retire subject to approval? Yes. An application for the Phased Retirement Program is subject to review and approval by your department chair/supervisor and dean/director/vice president/senior vice president/president. The program does not create a right for employees. How will I be notified if my application is approved? If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation letter from the University Human Resources Benefits Office along with a copy of your application. If your application is not approved, you will be notified by your supervisor/department chair. Page 2

3 Questions on Salary and Benefits Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 A12 A13 A14 If I elect and am approved for the Phased Retirement Program, what are the impacts to salary and benefits I receive? During the period of your reduced appointment: In the first year of a two year phasing period, the salary received will reflect the reduced responsibilities plus an additional 10 percent of the budgeted salary, had the person worked full time. In the only, or last year following the initiation of phased retirement, the employee s appointment will be no greater than fifty percent, and the salary will be proportional to the budgeted salary had the person worked full-time (if faculty and approved for FISIP, the FISIP increment is excluded for purposes of the Phased Retirement Program). You will continue to be eligible participate in health and dental insurance coverage with contributions based on active employee rates. Employer contributions to the defined contribution retirement plan (TIAA) will be based on your budgeted annual salary immediately preceding the period of reduced appointment (if faculty and approved for FISIP, the FISIP increment is excluded for purposes of the Phased Retirement Program). Employer contributions to IPERS will be based on your actual salary received (based on your reduced appointment). Life insurance and disability benefits will be based on actual salary. I currently have IPERS as my retirement plan. Will I be able to receive an IPERS benefit during my reduced appointment? No. IPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan that does not permit you to receive benefits while still actively employed. I participate in the defined contribution retirement plan (TIAA). Will I have access to my retirement funds during my Phased period even though I m still receiving contributions? Yes. You will have access to your retirement plan funds (up to 99% of balances). You should visit with TIAA to understand your options for taking distributions. What is the impact to my current vacation balances if I go on Phased Retirement? Page 3

4 A15 Vacation accrual (if applicable) does change to be consistent with the appointment (FTE). If you are at the maximum vacation accrual prior to Phased, there is no loss you will retain all accrued vacation. When moved to Phased, there will be no further vacation accrual until you have used vacation to extent that you are again eligible for accrual. Q16 What is the impact to Social Security if I go on Phased Retirement? A16 Social Security contributions are based on actual salary received. Actual salary is reduced per terms of the Phased Retirement agreement. Social Security income projections received during Phased Retirement may show higher monthly income projections. These projections assume that the final years of your employment will be at the pre-phased Retirement salary level, not at the actual lower Phased Retirement income level. You should contact your local Social Security Administration office with questions. Q17 A17 After my reduced appointment ends, what are my options for health and dental insurance coverage? Subject to existing policies, you will be allowed to participate in health and dental insurance coverage available to retirees at the time your participation in the Phased Retirement Program ends. Assuming existing policies are in force, you will be responsible for insurance premium payments in the same manner as existing retirees. You will not be permitted to participate in retiree plans that you are not enrolled in at the time of full retirement. Q18 Q19 What other benefits are impacted when I fully retire? A18 Life Insurance if you have been previously covered for life insurance during the past 10 years, you may be eligible for a continued $4000 benefit at retirement. You will also have the option for conversion or portability of existing coverage under existing life insurance guidelines. Voluntary Vision plan terminates the first day of the month following retirement. You may continue under COBRA provisions. Long-term Care Insurance may be continued by making arrangements to pay directly to the provider. What happens to my benefits in the event of my death? A19 Salary and contributions to retirement are terminated. The employee s surviving spouse or dependent(s) may elect to continue available health and dental insurance coverage as provided by other university policies or by law. Page 4

5 Q20 What happens to my accumulated sick leave and vacation when I fully retire? A20 During the reduced appointment, you continue to earn vacation (if applicable) and sick leave based on your reduced appointment. Per ISU policy, sick leave balances will be paid to you up to a maximum of $2000. You must apply to receive sick leave payout. The value of your unused vacation bank, up to the policy maximum, will be paid to you unless your Letter of Intent (LOI) specifies otherwise. Q21 A21 What else should I be aware of such as taxes? Employees are responsible for any tax consequences resulting from retirement decisions. As an example, employees who are over age 70 ½ are subject to Minimum Required Distributions (MRD) from their retirement plan and the amount of the MRD can be impacted by the actual last day of active employment. We encourage all employees who are considering Phased Retirement to visit with a financial professional to understand potential impacts applicable to their situation. Q22 Who can I contact if I have more questions on the Phased Retirement Program? A22 Your department chair or director with questions on participation in the Phased Retirement Program University Human Resources Benefits Office can help you with questions on health and dental insurance coverage in retirement. Office phone is or on-line benefits@iastate.edu TIAA for assistance with retirement planning and investment options. Local office in Ames. Call for local appointments or speak with a national TIAA representative by calling Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) for assistance if you are participating in IPERS. Telephone is On-line at Extension HR Office for questions if you are a participant in the Federal Civil Service System. Telephone is Page 5

Staff Voluntary Early Retirement Program Frequently Asked Questions

Staff Voluntary Early Retirement Program Frequently Asked Questions Q1. How often will I get paid my severance? A1. Severance payments will be paid after the retirement day and on the regular University